Karen Biko has been painting and artistic as far back as she can remember.  During this time her friends and family have been receiving gifts of paintings and cards that express her creativity for birthdays, at Christmas, and for other occasions.  It’s always been a treat for her to visit friends and families and find her cards or gifts framed and up on the walls of their homes.

So finally after much prompting by peers, friends, and family she decided it was time to make her work available for everyone.  Using quality paper and products, Karen has found a niche style in her colourist abstracts.

“Experimenting with colour is what I love to do.  You never know how some colours will mesh together with each draw of the brush or tool”. By continually adding different elements to her techniques, she allows herself to continue with her pursuits of the abstract and to expand the impact her pieces make.

“I’ve been inspired by everything from Graffiti art to classical paintings and sculpture.”  Like any creative person, Karen finds herself often wishing time could just stop time so she could spend days with the non-stop creative ideas that keep filling her mind.  “When I started I knew my work wasn’t for everyone, primarily it’s been for me, and that’s okay, I’ve just been so excited by how many others have also embraced it”.

Being surrounded by huge artistic influences throughout her life has helped Karen ease into this creative lifestyle.  Her original early exposure to the artwork of Bruce Head in Winnipeg, and a family that appreciated art helped solidify her interests and her creativity.  Karen continued her art education in High School with her teacher and long-time friend Dave Harrison.

As is usually the case, Karen wasn’t the only creative individual in her family.  Jodie Godwin (her sister) is a sculptor in Niagara-On-The-Lake and Ken Godwin (her father) spends his time with creative woodworking.  During Karen’s earlier years she spent several summers at the Leighton Centre South of Calgary where her mother Dorothy Godwin worked. Here she met other artists and creative people such as Roma Jones, and Barbara Leighton.

Her earlier creative instincts pushed Karen into the field of Interior Design and she graduated from the  Interior Design course from Mount Royal College, and worked several years in that area before branching off on her own.

“Life is busy, but you have to make time to do what you want.”  Karen balances her time between Real Estate Investing, Painting, being a Jazzercise instructor, and being a Mom for two girls.  “You think you’re busy, try this for a change.”

Recently Karen has been working with new elements in her work, mixed media and watercolours.   “I made a piece for a juried show and it was accepted!”  The great thing about this most current show is that it’s at the Leighton Center.  “I feel like I’m coming home…I think Barbara is up there cheering me on!”

Karen’s Website

e-mail Karen Biko